PHILADELPHIA — As you can tell from the above photo, it's raining here at Citizens Bank Park. It's been raining all afternoon. And there's no real letup in sight. Which seems to suggest the odds of baseball being played tonight are slim. But nothing official has been announced from the Phillies, so we'll proceed for now as though there's actually going to be a game.

If they do play, Ross Detwiler will take the mound for the Nationals, trying to build off his solid-not-spectacular return from the DL last Thursday in Colorado. Detwiler faces a bolstered Phillies lineup, with Carlos Ruiz fresh off the DL himself and ready to wreak havoc on the Nats as he has done throughout his career.

Cliff Lee starts for Philadelphia, facing a Nationals lineup that desperately needs to get healthy and productive. Still waiting to hear if Denard Span will be back after missing last night's game with a bruised right foot, but he appeared to be moving around better after the night off.

Game over. Season over. Just a disgrace of a team. I'm done being posses. Not gonna waste anymore time. Zimmerman makes me sick at the plate.. so does span and laroche. I hop they lose 90. If that makes me a bad fan then so be it. Blahhhhhhhhhhh. Step away nick these bums not worth there pay.

that hurt! and the Mets are winning game 2 as well, we just can't take advantage of an opportunity but that's how its gone all year. Det has pitched well, just no offense thus far, can it change? sure, why not…SWM, dude, just move on.

Mets score 4 unearned runs after BJ's error.6-1 Mets. Have I ever told you guys that I'm glad we didn't sign either of the Uptons?I think Lombo played that as well as you can expect. MNF.If he dives and the ball gets by him the damage would have been worse. Now, that said, Bernadina probably catches that ball. Infielders trying to play the outfield are killing us.

You have to blame Det for tonight. McCatty told all his starters in a meeting, clearly, "Do NOT give up a run or you will lose." Yet for some reason our starters keep giving up a run–the kiss of death.How hard it is that for our guys to understand? I mean duh, DON'T give up a run!On the positive side, it feels great getting dominated by a good pitcher, after getting dominated by so, so many mediocre ones. It feels great! It's like a moral victory.

The Nats are approaching third place. Can't beat halfway decent teams. This season is probably not what Rizzo or Davey envisioned, but is basically a reflection of the flaws and lack of talent in the team.

Read Mark Z's in game post above at 9:59. Mr. Zuckerman tells the story perfectly regarding the guy playing left field 's play.Like I said earlier, I don't expect Lombo, Kobernus, or Moore to make web gems.I don't expect it because they can't, at least no consistently. Maybe Corey Brown, or Eury Perez wouldn't be able to hit very good, but at least you would have a guy that is a natural outfielder playing. And it's not like Lombo or Kobernus are hitting anyway. Even that throw just now was on line, it was not a strong throw.

The team has no chance to win the division with Lombardozzi starting. He is maybe slightly above replacement level but I am not too sure. Every time I look out there he is in the starting line up. Zero home runs and inability to beat out grounders. There just is not much you can say.

Good point Nats Lady. They tell us how well Lombo played the ball, COMPLETELY ignoring the lollipop throw he made to second. I am really tiring of the propaganda and selective statistics from our TV crew.The most honest thing they've said was a month ago, after an excruciating loss, when FP said, "I dunno. Maybe this isn't the year."

NL, agree although in his defense we all know he is not an OF…both his throws to home and 2nd were on target but rainbow type throws…would have preferred Bernie there for both plays but understand the match-up issue vs. Lee.

Let's face it. No team in the majors can win with hitters like this. Span and Lombardozzi are huge, huge holes in the line up with ZERO power, low averages and low on base percentages and surprisingly both of them are unable to steal or take the extra base.

Shark didn't start tonight because he's left handed. Davey hoped that Lombo batting RH could get a hit or two against the lefty Lee. Was worth a shot.And now, ladies and gentlemen, our new mop up guy, Drew Storen.

I feel bad for Det. In the fifth, he was beginning to get hit hard — but right at people. Time to get the bullpen warm. Did we? Of course not. In the 6th, Det gave ground, exhausted, he pressed on nearly getting out of his jam striking out two — he was totally gassed. Did we get him help? Nope.Management is either paralyzed, too old, or just plain dumb.

Seeing Frandsen bunt with two outs and a runner on third, stands in stark contrast to the utter lack of imagination of the Nationals' offensive attack.For three months we've waited for hairy-chested guys to hit three-run homers. And what do we have to show for this lack of imagination? Nothing.

Nats have got to bring .300 hitting Corey Brown up — he's a natural outfielder – and a good one too.We gotta get little weak Lombo out of the outfield. I thought Rizzo wanted a good defensive team (dumping Morse). Whats all that about? Shark's time is up too —

Oh I think they care plenty.I think they need some young, fiery leadership — and some smart, sharp coaching. I think the entire coaching staff (except Tarasco) should be shown the door. and the sooner the better

Strasburg not being able to stay healthy is a myth. He's had two injuries-Tommy John and a lat injury that many pitchers get. He's not injury prone. And we have no idea how healthy Harvey is or isn't, he's been around for a few months.

When I read that Tarasco was putting in the hours trying to teach Span how to steal bases (back in late April/early May) and by the fact that coaching first base, you don't get a chance to mess up — I see mistakes being made by every other coach.

I hope you are right about Strasburg, but I seem to recall him coming out of two different games this year for minor injuries and missing a couple of months and he wasn't healthy enough last year to even pitch relief in the post-season. His velocity is down from three years ago and he still seems to be a decent pitcher but probably no Matt Harvery.

Less Platu said…Nats have got to bring .300 hitting Corey Brown up — he's a natural outfielder – and a good one too.We gotta get little weak Lombo out of the outfield. I thought Rizzo wanted a good defensive team (dumping Morse). Whats all that about? Shark's time is up too —————–/——////////Check your facts before posting something so ignorant. Corey is hitting ,245 and is striking out a ton, as in 50 K's in 147 AB'sI'd like his OF skills, but he is struggling big time at the plate.

ok, Les, now you are just annoying (AGAIN), my kid plays "girls" soccer and you know what, i am sure she and all of her teammates are much tougher than you…go away…in your case "Les" is not more, move on.

Span looks hurt at the plate. He looks like he is 40 years old. That little flair he hit to left his last time up was weak as a kitten. you gotta sit him down. Lets see what the kid in Harrisburg has. Or Brown. And Haren all of a sudden gets a sore arm and goes on the DL. Its time to start makin some moves, cause the guys we got here ain't getting it done. And like FP was saying, this division is up for grabs